Unsure of year but (original) owner believed either 1970 or 71. Still has both keys for the fork lock. Needs new tires as has been sitting since purchased. Owner advised she rode it about a mile and didn't like the Brooks seat (a fake leather one) and so she bought the seat cover pictured but she still didn't like the ride so she parked it until today. It has the hub dynamo and the headlamp but she couldn't recall if the light still worked. There is a blizzard on here and so I couldn't stick around in her driveway to look to hard at the generator. The photos were just quick ones on the phone and tomorrow storm will continue so won't get serial number or the date off the hub until I get a better day.

I compared it to my Raleigh Sports and it seems a nicer bike.

Any thoughts on this one? I might try and trade it out at the next C&V show in March.

WGB-

They are, well, Superbe. They weigh in the 40 lb range with all the kit on them but can be really good utility bikes. That one looks like one of the rarer, taller woman's frame which adds value right there. The SA headlight can be upgraded with an LED from Nicelite in the UK. Fibrax makes leather/rubber brake blocks to improve the braking performance of the chrome steel rims and much better quality 26" tires like the Col de la Vie are available to improve the ride. Replacement rear 21T cogs are available to replace what I believe was a 19T leg breaker. What the bike really needed was for Raleigh to have used alloy cranks, alloy rims, alloy bars etc. but they didn't. The one you are looking at seems complete and correct, even down to the fork lock keys and the paint condition looks excellent. Could be a really good investment.

bertinjim
It wasn't my thing but I saw the ad (she had a Raleigh Sprite 27 also) and had to go see it. I wasn't going to take it when I saw the non leather Brooks but next thing I knew......

WGB-

Raleigh Sprites make really nice utility bikes if built with a 3 speed hub. They seem to have lighter tubing,more agile geometry, alloy rimmed 700C wheels, full coverage fenders and proper Weinmann alloy brakes of varying kinds. I built one for my son years ago and to show how admired and good it was, it was promptly stolen about 3 weeks later. As far as the Superbe goes, you were probably suffering from disorientation brought on by the blizzard.

Yup, the Superbe was the top of the line. Enjoy it as it is, or hotrod it.

Oops! Should have said it was a 10 speed Sprite with 27 inch wheelset.

Suntour Honor rd, Huret fd and stem shifters. Frame was immaculate but had rusted steel rims, with rotted 27in tires and the headlight wire was broken. I almost bought it but somehow I held out.